Medicare Part B
Medical Insurance
Part B covers the outpatient side of Medicare — doctor visits, lab work, preventive care, and more. Unlike Part A, Part B requires a monthly premium for everyone.
What Part B Covers
Doctor Visits
Visits to your primary care doctor, specialists, and other health care providers who accept Medicare.
Lab Tests & X-Rays
Blood work, urinalysis, diagnostic imaging, and other medically necessary tests ordered by your doctor.
Preventive Services
Annual wellness visits, flu shots, cancer screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies), and other preventive care — often at no cost to you.
Durable Medical Equipment
Wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds for home use, oxygen equipment, and other DME your doctor orders.
Mental Health Services
Outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services, including visits to psychiatrists and therapists.
Ambulance Services
Emergency ambulance transportation when other transportation would endanger your health.
What Part B Costs
Standard amount; higher earners pay more (IRMAA surcharge)
For most covered services
Premium and deductible amounts are adjusted each year. Contact us for current figures.
Higher Earners Pay More — IRMAA
If your income (as reported on your tax return from 2 years ago) is above certain thresholds, you'll pay a higher Part B premium. This is called the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
IRMAA applies to both Part B and Part D premiums. If your income has changed significantly since that tax year (due to retirement, for example), you can appeal IRMAA with Social Security using Form SSA-44.
The Part B Late Enrollment Penalty
If you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, and you don't have a qualifying reason to delay (like active employer coverage), you'll pay a 10% penalty on your Part B premium for each 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll.
This penalty is permanent. It stays with you for as long as you have Part B.
Example: If you delay 3 years without a qualifying reason, your Part B premium will be 30% higher than the standard rate — for life.
When Can You Enroll?
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
A 7-month window around your 65th birthday: 3 months before the month you turn 65, the month of your birthday, and 3 months after. Use the timeline tool on our home page to find your exact IEP window.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
If you delayed Medicare because you had employer health coverage through your own or your spouse's active employment, you get an 8-month SEP after that coverage ends to enroll in Part B without penalty.
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
January 1 – March 31 each year, with coverage starting July 1. Available if you missed your IEP and don't qualify for an SEP. The late enrollment penalty applies if you use the GEP.
Not sure when to enroll in Part B?
The rules around enrollment windows and penalties can be confusing. We'll help you get it right the first time.
Talk to an Agent